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American Express Backing Small Businesses is a grant from American Express and Main Street America that funds independently owned small businesses located in older or historic commercial districts to promote sustainable growth, long-term resilience, and local community impact. Standard grants are $10,000, with enhancement grants of up to $30,000 available to selected recipients from prior cohorts demonstrating exceptional impact.
The program has awarded over $14 million to more than 1,600 small business owners nationwide since launching in 2021. Eligible applicants are independently owned small businesses employing 20 or fewer full-time employees located in older or historic commercial districts. The program also includes disaster recovery grant rounds to support businesses rebuilding after natural disasters.
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Backing Small Businesses supported by American Express | Main Street America American Express® Backing Small Businesses The Backing Small Businesses grant program, supported by American Express, empowers locally significant small businesses, helping them fuel growth and continue to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
The Backing Small Businesses grant program, supported by American Express, provides support to locally significant small businesses with community reach. In 2025 , the program provided grants of $ 10 , 000 to fund projects that promote sustainable growth, enhance long-term resilience, and increase local impact.
Get information about future grant rounds, as well as other small business resources and opportunities, by subscribing to our “ Small Business Resources, Information, and Updates” list. This program marks the latest effort in American Express’ “ Backing Small Businesses” work to equip small businesses with resources to grow and innovate today, prepare for tomorrow, and overcome challenges big and small.
Other Backing Small grant programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Small Restaurants . In 2021 , American Express and Main Street America created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID- 19 pandemic and grow their businesses.
Since launching, Backing Small Businesses has provided more than $ 14 million in grants to over 1 , 600 small business owners nationwide. The grant application is closed. Receive information about future grant rounds, as well as other small business resources and opportunities, by subscribing to our “ Small Business Resources, Information, and Updates” list.
Learn More About the Latest Recipients Turning Hardship Into Hope: Backing Small Businesses Program Helps 100 Owners Recover From Natural Disasters With $ 10 , 000 Grants Meet 100 resilient small business owners rebuilding with support from our disaster recovery grant program, part of the Backing Small Businesses program supported by American Express.
25 Small Business Owners Receive $ 30 , 000 Grants through Backing Small Businesses Program The 25 small businesses receiving enhancement grants represent 25 states across the country. Earlier this year, each of these recipients also received an additional $10,000 as part of a 500-member cohort.
500 Small Business Owners Receive $ 10 , 000 through Backing Small Businesses Grant Program American Express and Main Street America announced the 500 small business owners who have been awarded $10,000 through the Backing Small Businesses grant program. Contact SmallBizGrant@mainstreet. org or call ( 708 ) 515 ‑ 4889 and leave a voicemail with any other questions.
Please allow up to two ( 2 ) full business days to respond to all inquiries. Find Small Business Resources Through our Small Business Support work, Main Street America is equipping both small business owners and economic development leaders with tools, resources, and opportunities to build stronger and more resilient local economies.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Independently owned small businesses employing 20 or fewer full-time employees, located in older or historic commercial districts. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $10,000; up to $30,000 for enhancement grants Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for up to four (4) Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) that will provide entrepreneurial development services to Native American communities, focusing on supplying services to socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in locations that are outside of the geographical areas of existing SBA resources. Eligible applicants must be Tribal Colleges and Universities as defined in the Higher Education Act HEA 316 (U.S.C. 1059c). Funding Opportunity Number: SB-GC7J-23-002. Assistance Listing: 59.007. Funding Instrument: G. Category: BC,ED. Award Amount: Up to $250K per award.
The purpose of this FOA is to provide funding for up to two (2) private, non-profit organizations that will provide entrepreneurial development services to women, with an emphasis on socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in locations that are outside of the geographical areas of existing WBCs for the District of Columbia (DC) and the State of Oregon. There will be one award for each location. Eligible applicants must be private, non-profit organizations with 501(c) tax exempt status from the U.S. Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service and must provide services to the District of Columbia (DC) and State of Oregon. Funding Opportunity Number: SB-OEDWB-23-002. Assistance Listing: 59.043. Funding Instrument: G. Category: BC,CD,RD. Award Amount: $75K – $150K per award.
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The USDA SBIR/STTR programs support small businesses in creating innovative, disruptive technologies with commercial potential or societal benefit, including projects dealing with agriculturally-related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies. Specialty tubing could be relevant for agricultural equipment or renewable energy systems.